now a national survey says the nation is headed into the right direction. both candidates took a break from their debate prep on tuesday to make a few unscheduled stops. nbc's steve handelsman reports from denver. >> reporter: the pressure is intense. president obama took time out for a visit to hoover dam. >> it's spectacular. i've never seen it before. >> reporter: mitt romney grabbed a burrito bowl. doug hudson, andrew lumpkin and chris conroy run bicycle companies in colorado. they took me out to red rocks. these guys will watch the debate. andrew hoping for a breakthrough by his candidate, mitt romney. >> i want him to talk about conservative values, especially economically. empowering small businesses. >> reporter: chris used to vote republican. not anymore. >> what really change my mind recently is it seems to have got an way from taking care of the little guy. >> reporter: doug is undecided. >> i'd like to see details both from romney and obama. mainly on tax policy. >> reporter: vice president biden charged team romney would hike middle-class taxes